Gillett discusses prevention methods in schools

The Gillett Police Department is exploring different methods on how to keep children safe in home and at school.

Chief Shane Breitenbach addressed the Gillett City Council during its meeting on April 8.

“I am on the Oconto County Crisis Collaboration Team,” said Breitenbach. “The main focus on this month’s meeting was the epidemic of methamphetamine. We are dealing with this issue like we have never dealt with it before.”

Breitenbach said that the the methamphetamine epidemic has taken a toll on human services, community members and children.

“We have been trying to brainstorm and think through how we can correct these issues,” said Breitenbach.

He said that there has been an emphasis on helping adults with these problems.

“We have been talking about the adult side of this, but nobody is asking or talking about the children,” said Breitenbach. “If you want to change the future, you have to get to children first.”

Breitenbach said that there are currently a lot of drug, mental health and family issues in schools right now.

“It is happening all over the place,” said Breitenbach.

He noted that school resource programs are being cut or not being used to their full potential.

“I remember back in the ’70s and ’80s, there were commercials on TV that had warnings around drugs,” said Breitenbach. “Do we even see any of that anymore?”

Placing a resource officer in schools is one suggestion that Breitenbach had to help combat this.

“You look at the school districts that have this, and you can tell that there is an impact,” said Breitenbech. “You talk to these kids after school and they have memories of their resource officer.”

He said that he is going to reach out to the Gillett School District officials for their input on the interest of this.

“I am welcoming any input on this matter from not only the city council, but also the community,” said Breitenbach. “I get that things cost money, but there are grants and other ways for this.”

Alderwoman Nanette Mohr said that she has been asking for some version of a school resource program for a number of years.

“I was asking for even just a part timer,” said Mohr. “It is just different with someone in uniform walking through the school.”

Alderman Gary Spaulding asked if a police dog could be brought through the school every so often.

“It has to lie in what the school wants,” said Breitenbach. “When they request for a dog, it is usually when they see a rise in incidents or get some information about a certain party.”

Spaulding responded that a dog should be non-scheduled and should just enter the school at any given time.

“There is no dog that is available for that,” said Bretienbach. “Those dogs are utilize so much by so many people. The dogs are not a floating squad, they are assigned an area.”

Breitenbach said that Oconto Falls is working on putting one, maybe two dogs in its police department.

“That is easier to ask Oconto Falls to come and do a quick walk-through,” said Breitenbach. “It won’t take as much if you ask them as opposed to taking a deputy canine out of its mix.”

Alderwoman Debbie Rudie noted that the Menominee Indian School District in Keshena is taking a strong initiative.

“I think that it is being more recognized as a necessity and hopefully people can open their eyes to that,” said Rudie. “We teach kids to not cross the street unless they look both ways until they are 30. We are teaching children young and I think that needs to happen with this.”

Breitenbach called the proposal an investment in the future.

“The future of society is in our children,” said Breitenbach. “If you don’t set the foundation when they are small it won’t help eliminate these problems.”

He also noted that, for some children, school is their safe place.

“They come to school and it is a sanctuary for them,” said Breitenbach. “If you can give them those positives in a sanctuary, the more positive it is.”

Gillett resident Katie Daul informed the council on a program that is working to help the drug concerns.

“There is Northeast Wisconsin Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education program,” said Daul. “There are a lot of agencies that are a part of this coalition and one of the sub-committees handles prevention in schools. I think it would be really beneficial if the Gillett Police Department joined that coalition. They are working on a lot of different outreaches to help those in need.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com